And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.

2 CHRONICLES 13:8KJV
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2 Chronicles 13:8 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 13:8 mean?

2 Chronicles 13:8 warns that trying to oppose the kingdom ruled by David’s descendants is ultimately resisting God’s authority, even if the opposing side is large in number and has its own gods. The verse points out that Jeroboam’s followers rely on golden calves as their gods, which are man-made and not the true God.

King Abijah of Judah is speaking to the people of Israel, led by Jeroboam, during a confrontation between their two kingdoms. Abijah reminds them that the kingdom of Judah is under God’s rule through David’s family, while Israel has turned to idols. The verse highlights the contrast between trusting in God’s chosen leadership and trusting in human-made substitutes.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 13:8

  • "withstand" (חָזַק, chazaq): This word means to strengthen oneself or to try to prevail. Here, it emphasizes the effort Jeroboam’s side is making to resist what Abijah sees as God’s rightful rule.
  • "kingdom" (מַלְכוּת, malkut): This word refers to the rule or reign, specifically the kingdom under David’s line. It stresses that the authority being challenged is not just political but divinely established.
  • "golden calves" (עֵגֶל, egel): The word for "calves" refers to the idols Jeroboam set up. Mentioning their gold emphasizes their man-made, material nature, contrasting them with the living God.

Why 2 Chronicles 13:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the conflict is not just between two kings, but between faithfulness to God’s covenant and turning to idols.
  • It highlights the irony that, despite having a "great multitude," Jeroboam’s side relies on powerless idols rather than God.
  • The verse sets up the main argument of Abijah’s speech: that true strength and legitimacy come from following God’s chosen way, not from numbers or impressive-looking substitutes.

Where else these words appear

“calves” Hebrew H5695 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 32:4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
  • 1 Samuel 28:24 And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:
  • Isaiah 27:10 Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.

“multitude” Hebrew H1995 · used in 78 verses

  • Genesis 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
  • Psalms 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
  • Ezekiel 7:14 They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.

“Jeroboam” Hebrew H3379 · used in 95 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
  • 1 Kings 14:30 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.
  • 2 Kings 15:1 In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.

“kingdom” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 14:5 And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
  • Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;